Aircraft

^{By Kerry Ezard in London and Tom Zaitsev in Moscow}

Finmeccanica and Sukhoi Civil Aircraft have finalised a deal that will see the Italian aerospace firm’s Alenia division acquire a 25%-plus-one-share stake in the Russian manufacturer.

Under the agreement, which the Italian Prime Minister’s office confirms in a statement was signed in Moscow by Italian industry minister Claudio Scajola and his Russian counterpart Viktor Khristenko, Alenia will have a significant participation in the Russian Regional Jet (RRJ) programme.

Khristenko says, without elaboration: "There is still an issue of ratifying norms governing a controlling stake in the enterprise that we need to tackle.”

But he adds: "We're talking about co-operation in a high technology sector. Therefore we're prepared to substantial investment in the project estimated at hundreds of millions of euros."

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft director Viktor Subbotin says that the two sides are thrashing out the technical details of a joint venture and declines to predict when the final agreement will be signed. Sukhoi shareholders are due to meet on 15 May to discuss the matter.

Alenia is already involved in the turboprop market through its involvement with ATR and has stated that it is keen to expand into the regional jet market.

The deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed last year by Finmeccanica and Sukhoi.

Canadian manufacturer Bombardier previously said it was in discussions with Sukhoi over joining the RRJ programme, but it is unclear whether it will now be involved. The RRJ has extensive French content – notably Snecma’s half-share of the engine programme.

Late last year, Russian flag carrier Aeroflot signed up for 30 of the 95-seat RRJ95s, becoming the launch customer.

Kieran Daly has lost some of his scepticism about the RRJ. Read his blog.